OLD TRAFFORD’S flying Dutchman wasn’t grounded after all, allowing Robin van Persie to help inspire Manchester United’s continued march up the Premier League table.

Van Persie had woken to headlines revealing his place in Louis van Gaal’s starting line-up was in danger, following biting criticism from the United boss of his subdued performance a week earlier at Arsenal.

He pertinently pointed out that Holland’s captain had contributed only 13 touches to the United cause at the Emirates. The powers that be needn’t have

worried. Van Persie was clearly pumped up and ready to prove that his light is still burning brightly.

The headlines this morning will be much kinder to the £24million man, who eventually made way for Radamel Falcao to a standing ovation.

It came just minutes after a stupendous strike which sealed this comfortable victory and was a flashback to the torrent of wonder goals which anointed Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season with the title.

When substitute Ander Herrera fed the ball to him lurking just outside the Hull area, Van Persie swivelled taking James Chester out of the equation before a left-footed thunderbolt seared into the roof of the net.

He admitted: “I was glad to score. I needed that goal, to be honest.”

Job done. Earlier he had almost replicated his Holland diving header against Spain in last summer’s World Cup finals following a lofted pass from Michael Carrick.

Allan McGregor made a fine save, only for an assistant referee’s flag for offside to pour a bucket of cold water over one of the best bits of action.

Luckily there was enough at other times with Van Persie, deployed behind Rooney, heavily involved.

United never looked in danger as Hull didn’t turn up for manager Steve Bruce’s 700th game as a manager.

Just one win in 12 games means that the Tigers have lost their bite and are in a relegation scrap.

Chris Smalling’s first goal since Boxing Day – also against Hull – owed a lot to tenacity and referee Anthony Taylor’s special watch.

The Goal Decision Review has been a godsend to officials. Without it yesterday, keeper McGregor might have escaped after a 16th-minute Rooney corner sparked bedlam in his penalty area.

Smallling connected with a header, McGregor flailed an arm in Van Persie’s direction as the Dutch striker tried to take advantage of the ensuing chaos – before Smalling nipped in again and his snatched attempt was momentarily carried over the line by the crestfallen keeper.

Time stood still as United’s players claimed the goal which was awarded seconds later, courtesy of Taylor’s piece of Premier League gadgetry.

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Wayne Rooney (right) also scored as United controlled the game at Old Trafford

It was deserved as Hull’s first-half display of hesitation and passing lapses frustrated Bruce, who reacted by dumping his maverick loan signing Hatem Ben Arfa after just 34 minutes.

There was little respite from United’s wave of attacks which hadn’t been restricted by Angel Di Maria’s early departure with a hamstring pull to add to the club’s injury woes.

Fortunately a scare involving Rooney, who appeared to tweak his ankle, quickly passed as he recovered to continue his rich vein of goal- scoring form with a strike of stunning simplicity.

Although careering into the advertising hoardings following a trip by Andy Robertson in added time wouldn’t have done him much good.

Juan Mata’s chipped through ball was headed down by substitute Ander Herrera, and when Van Persie set up the United skipper he didn’t disappoint, drilling into the corner his eighth goal in nine games for club and country.

Van Gaal said: “That is the first match that we have dominated from start to finish in a way that I like. We had some great moments.”

On Van Persie, he added: “I am very pleased because every striker needs a goal if they haven’t scored for two or three games but I am sure he can still play better than today.”

For Bruce, his managerial record against his former club is one to forget – four draws and 17 defeats.

He confessed: “We gifted them their goals but I’m still convinced we will finish above where we did last season (16th)”.